Simply Modern Weddings

As a child, I was absolutely fascinated with Halloween. What other day lets you dress up and be just as crazy as you want to be? Okay, you can always let loose on just a regular day, but I always enjoyed showing my inner-crazy on Halloween. Although this year I plan to keep it pretty low-key, and go as V for Vendetta.

How cool would it be to design a Halloween themed wedding; not “scary” Halloween, but “chic” Halloween? Hmmm, I know many of you are wondering if this is even possible. Well, Jenn over at Hostess with the Mostess has shown that it is. Okay, so maybe I won’t get to plan a chic Halloween wedding, but she has seriously inspired me to throw a hip Halloween party next year!

Look at these amazing decor ideas she came up with! For how-to create these looks, head over to the Halloween section of the Hostess with the Mostess website!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween everyone!!!

Everyone knows that “going green” is huge these days. It’s everywhere from how you grocery shop, what car you drive….to YES, even planning your wedding! So, my buddy Michelle over at Charming Event tagged me to share with everyone how I have become more eco-friendly.

* A year ago, we sold our “gas-guzzling” Montero Sport and I got a Beetle. This not only means that I am driving in fashion…but I also am spending less time at the gas pump since my car is smaller and more “road friendly”.

* What to do with all those grocery bags once you are done shopping? Like Michelle, I use them for anything from garbage to lunch bags.

* We have been saving our clothes for Working Wardrobes, a local non-profit which helps people with getting back on their feet with career counseling and wardrobing. (they had a great “Cinderella For Life” program where you can donate your old bridesmaid dresses to girls in need, so they may use as a prom dress!)

Looking at this list makes me realize that I can be doing much more for the environment. So I want to see in what way others are helping to be more eco-friendly.

Ready? Okay…now it’s your turn!

I am tagging:

HyStudio
Jasmine Star Photography
Spiraled Stem Floral Design
OC’s Finest Weddings

Because I don’t like leaving a post “photo-less” here is a beautiful photo shot by HyStudio on a recent trip to the Smokey Mountains National Park. Look at how beautiful Mother Nature is!

Everyone knows that “going green” is huge these days. It’s everywhere from how you grocery shop, what car you drive….to YES, even planning your wedding! So, my buddy Michelle over at Charming Event tagged me to share with everyone how I have become more eco-friendly.

* A year ago, we sold our “gas-guzzling” Montero Sport and I got a Beetle. This not only means that I am driving in fashion…but I also am spending less time at the gas pump since my car is smaller and more “road friendly”.

* What to do with all those grocery bags once you are done shopping? Like Michelle, I use them for anything from garbage to lunch bags.

* We have been saving our clothes for Working Wardrobes, a local non-profit which helps people with getting back on their feet with career counseling and wardrobing. (they had a great “Cinderella For Life” program where you can donate your old bridesmaid dresses to girls in need, so they may use as a prom dress!)

Looking at this list makes me realize that I can be doing much more for the environment. So I want to see in what way others are helping to be more eco-friendly.

Ready? Okay…now it’s your turn!

I am tagging:

HyStudio
Jasmine Star Photography
Spiraled Stem Floral Design
OC’s Finest Weddings

Because I don’t like leaving a post “photo-less” here is a beautiful photo shot by HyStudio on a recent trip to the Smokey Mountains National Park. Look at how beautiful Mother Nature is!

I love to find out people’s various splurges for their wedding. Here is what I have discovered, the biggest splurge for most people…..photography!!! Ok, so not much of a surprise to most of you; after all the market for wedding photography in SoCal is one of the best, in my opinion. However, I still find that many brides are shocked by prices when they start the hunt for a wedding photographer. Just remember, whether your wedding costs $10,000.00 or $100,000.00 the lasting memory of your day will be in your photos…so make sure to invest in them!!

Finding the perfect photographer is key to having a great wedding. I always suggest meeting with a variety of people to really zoom (no pun intended!) in on the photographer that meshes well with you and your fiance’s personality. This person is going to be taking photos of you both on one of your most special days…you gotta LOVE them! (plus it makes the photos fun!)

Another piece of advice? Know what you want and make sure their work reflects that. Some people want an edgy, photojournalistic flair to their wedding photos, some people are more traditional…you need to make sure that your photographers work represents that. The best way to do that is by looking at a complete wedding they have shot, not just the “best” photos arranged nicely in an album. You want to get an idea of what the entire wedding day looks like from their eyes.

One more thing…blog stalk!!! Oh yes, it is the best way to stay current on a photographers recent work and also get a taste of their inner personality. I feel a blog tells a lot about a person, more that you can learn from an hour interview with them.

Well…that is it for today folks! Below are some photos from my favorite photographers…I hope these beautiful photos inspire you to hire the best photographer for you!

Amy Squires Photography

Boutwell Studio

HyStudio (my wedding photographer!)

Jasmine Star Photography

Jessica Claire Photography

Trista Lerit Photography

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear James, happy birthday to you!!!

Today is my favorite day of the year. On this day, years ago (not too many years) you entered into this world and set out on your wonderful journey of life. Along the way, we fell in love and married; I am so incredibly thankful that you were brought into this world and I get to share in your life.

I can’t imagine a better husband, partner, or friend…than you. Happy Birthday, my favorite dream come true.

Now, I didn’t coordinate Heather’s wedding…but as her being my uber-cool friend, I had to give her a special note for her and Jason’s anniversary. They were married last year at the Summit House in Fullerton. I just love how yummy their cake looks (I don’t even like chocolate and it looks drool-worthy)! Her cake was made by the super yummy Rossmoors Pastries in Signal Hill. Their cakes are the best!!!

Below are some photos from their wedding shot by Sheri Hansen

I hope that you both have a wonderful anniversary weekend!!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! So many of us have friends or family that have been affected by this disease, making it very important that we support research and awareness.

There are a variety of ways to contribute to Breast Cancer research, you can participate in the 3 Day Walk For the Cure, or support a friend participating in the walk. There are also some fab contributers that donate sales to support breast cancer research, here are some of my favs:

 1. Purchase a wedding gown from Brides Against Breast Cancer, or donate your own gown after the wedding. Here is a photo from last year’s event in Hollywood.

2. Add a pink flair to your kitchen by purchasing Cook for the Cure KitchenAid items

3. Every pink order from Social Couture in the month of October will contribute to breast cancer research. Here is one of my fav pink party decors.

4. For my Coach loving girls…20% of proceeds support research!